If you’re a dancer at Rhode Island Dolls in Woonsocket, RI, you likely already know that keeping your private life and your professional life separate is critical to your sanity. It also helps you feel more secure and safe when you are engaging with your customers at the club. And we all know that customer engagement is just one of the first things that keeps them coming back for more.

If you are a new dancer though, you likely haven’t realized yet how important this is.

The first thing you need to do, before you ever step on to the stage, is to create a stage name. If you haven’t done that and you’re using your real name, you’ll want to do that right now. Coming up with a stage name isn’t really hard. It’s a good idea to pick something unique and something that isn’t already online and being used by someone else. When a customer thinks that you are awesome, there is a good chance they are going to do a web search for your name so make sure that they aren’t finding some religious lady in Alabama! Your name should be different enough that other people aren’t using it – especially other strippers. They won’t appreciate it if you steal their name, even if it is by accident.

Once you’ve decided on a unique stage name, it’s a good idea to set up a few social media accounts for it so that when people do go looking for the stripper you, they find something. It’s also a great way to engage with your favorite customers when you are not at work and keep them coming back for more. BUT, make sure that you have it set up with a different Facebook account than the one you use with your real name. Although Facebook doesn’t really like this (it is against their terms) it is the safest way to make sure that the REAL you is not associated with the stripper you in anyway.

Speaking of the real you – lock down your social media account and never ever speak about your professional life on them. Don’t tell people your stage name. Don’t go on your stage name’s Facebook Page as your real name. Don’t even hint at it. Make sure your social media accounts for your real name are as private as they can possibly be.

Ok, once that is all set up, create a persona and a story for your stage name – for the professional you. Customers like to have private details or what they think are private details about you. They want to know where you’re from and how old you are and if you have a boyfriend. Create a story so that when they ask, you don’t have to go through the whole song and dance about how you don’t share personal info. Sometimes, the more you say it the more they press for it. So, just give them a little bit and they’ll be much happier. And if they want more? Tell them to go to Facebook and give your page a like!

Now, when you get to the club, you know who you are supposed to be. You are Lala Verbose (or whatever stage name you have come up with) and you’re a hardcore fitness freak that loves dancing to stay in shape. And when you leave the club and get in your car, you’re you again and no one needs to know anything about that.

Unless your best friends are fellow dancers, it’s best not to share your stage name, dancing stories, or anything like that with them. If they ask questions, just tell them you prefer not to talk about it. Sometimes things slip and you never know when you’re hanging out watching movies best friend happens to be the daughter of one of your best clients and you don’t want her to mention your stage name by accident and have him discover who you are in your real life.

Now that you’re a dancer at a strip club like Rhode Island Dolls, it’s important to remember that you are two different people. You are the girl that grew up in a small town practicing ballet moves in her bedroom while being too shy to talk to the boy you liked. But you’re also the confident and sexy dancer that has no problem taking her clothes off in a room full of men or in a private dance. The two can exist at the same time – as long as you keep them separate!